Total knee replacement is also known as total knee arthroplasty (Scott, 2015). The reasons for having this arthroplasty (reconstruction of a joint) done include severe knee pain, and stiffness that limits the patient’s ability to walk (Phillips, 2013; Scott, 2015). This procedure relieves pain and helps the patient regain function of the knee by replacing three knee joints, the medial and lateral femorotibial joints, and the patellofemoral joint (Scott, 2015).
When the patient is supine, the knee is kept at a flexed position (Phillips, 2013). A pneumatic tourniquet cuff is placed on the thigh before prepping and not inflated until the thigh is elevated and exsanguinated in order to provide a blood free area and to prevent blood clots (Phillips,
When the patient is supine, the knee is kept at a flexed position (Phillips, 2013). A pneumatic tourniquet cuff is placed on the thigh before prepping and not inflated until the thigh is elevated and exsanguinated in order to provide a blood free area and to prevent blood clots (Phillips,